Steamboat paddle-wheel



2 Sheets "Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

L. Q. G. MAGEE. STEAMBOAT PADDLE WHEEL N0. 604,256. Patented May 17, 1898.

llllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll THE norms PETER: co. Puorauma, wnsumsrou. o. cv

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. fo. MAGEE. STEAMBOAT PADDLE WHEEL.

N0. 604,256. Patentd May 17,1898.

HI! I him NITED STATES PATENT firms a:

STEAM BOAT PADDLE-WH EEL.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 604,256, dated May 1'7, 1898. Application filed July 3, 1897. Serial No. 643,413. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUOIUS Q. C. MAGEE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steamboat Paddle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in wheels, and particularly that class employed for steamboats for imparting motion thereto by the action of the wheel against the water, and has for its object to construct a wheel of this nature having the paddles thereof arranged in such a manner that the same will be extended when entering the water, so as to obtain the greatest force or power from the same and automatically withdrawn toward the axle of the wheel when emerging from the water, so as to prevent the paddles from lifting the water when on the upward movement, and thus prevent any retarding of the rapid movement of the wheel.

The invention further aims to employ, in connection with the mechanism for accomplishing the aforesaid results, a reversing mechanism whereby the paddles at the lowest periphery of the wheel will be drawn toward the axle of the wheel when the same is not in motion, and thus be practically out of the water when the boat is drifting and preventing the paddles from interfering with the same and also keeping all of the paddles out of the water when the boat is standing, if it is so desired.

To this end the invention consists in the novel construction, combination,and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically described, and particularly pointed out in the claim, and in describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which Figure l is a side view of my improved wheel, showing the same in position at the stern of the boat. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the wheel. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the wheel, showing a portion of the supports. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of two of the slotted guides or paddle-carriers, showing the paddle therein and the operating-arm for retracting and extending the paddle. Fig. 5 is a side view of the grooved wheel which receives the operating-arm; and Fig. 6 is an edge View of the wheel, showing a portion of axle-support in section.

My improved wheel is, as will be readily apparent, applicable to a' stern wheel, and referring now to the drawings 0. represents the axle, which is mounted in bearings carried on supporting braces or beams a, secured in any suitable manner to the boat and extending rearwardly therefrom. The cranks d are mounted on the ends of the axle outside its supports, and to these cranks are connected the driving-rods 6, said cranks and driving-rods being, if desired, of the ordinary construction. The arms or paddle-carrier spokes f are wedged into the flanges provided therefor on the axle, as in the ordinary construction,

these paddle-carriers being arranged near each end of the shaft and provided near their outer ends with elongated slots g, in which the tenant formed on the ends of the paddles it engages and operates. These paddlecarriers or spokes are also provided near the axle or hub of the wheel with slots Z, in which the operating-bar m travels, said bar being connected to the inner edge of the paddles h by braces or arms a. The ends of this bar m are rounded and project beyond the paddle-carriers or spokes f and are adapted to engage in a paracentrical groove 19, arranged in the side of awheel g, which is mounted on the shaft 0. near its bearings and is provided with a bushing g, which engages in a recess formed in the bearing 17 and retained in posit-ion by the cap I). This wheel is provided on its outer periphery with a series-of teeth (1 which receive the sprocket-chain r, engaging over the wheel and passing to any suitable point in the engine-room'of the vessel. Small friction-rollers s are provided in the ends of the operating bars on to prevent binding of the ends within the grooves, and in order to prevent lateral movement of the bar, which might serve to bind one end of the same, I have provided collars 25, near the ends of which will engage against the side of the wheel q and relieve the strain on the friction-rollers.

For the purpose of stiffening the spokes or paddle-carriers braces f" are secured to said carriers orspokes around the sides and braces f around the outer ends of same, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The operation is as follows: Assuming all parts to be in their respective positions and the wheel is set in motion, the paddles at the lowest point of the wheel will be extended to their greatest length and beyond the paddlecarriers or spokes by reason of the operatingbars m controlling these paddles being at the point of the paracentrical groove that is farthest from the center of the circle, while the paddles at the highest point of the wheels periphery will be withdrawn toward the axle or center of the wheel by reason of the operatingbars m controlling the same being within that portion of the paracentrical groove that is nearest the center of the true circle. Thus as the wheel continues to revolve the paddles are automatically extended as they enter the water in order to obtain the greatest power from the same and likewise automatically withdrawn toward the axle or hub of the wheel as they begin to emerge from the water, and are thus prevented from lifting the water while on the upward movement and allowing the free and unretarded movement of the wheel.

By reason of the wheel q being mounted loosely on the axle and supported in the same bearing that supports the axle no motion is imparted to this wheel by the revolving of the waterwheel, and in case it is desired to reverse the operation of the paddles, so as to withdraw those at the lowest point on the periphery of the wheel and extend those at the highest point, the wheel q is turned by means of the chain 0", so as to bring the point of the paracentrical groove that is farthest from the center of the true circle to the top and the portion of the groove that is closest to the center of the true circle to the bottom and the wheel then allowed. to remain in this position, thus having the paddles withdrawn in such a manner as to be practically out of engagement with the water and also being withdrawn beyond the ends of the paddlecarriers or spokes of the wheel.

When in either of the aforesaid positions, it will be observed that the operation will be the same whether the wheel is revolving so as to propel the vessel forward or backward, and it will also be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction Without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a steamboat-wheel, the combination of the axle mounted upon suitable bearings, a crank secured to said axle outside of the bearings, driving-rods connected to.said cranks, paddle-spokes secured in the axle and pro vided near their outer and inner ends with elongated slots, a wheel mounted on the shaft and provided with paracentrical grooves, paddles slidably mounted in the longitudinal slots near the outer ends, a bar mounted in the slots near the axle, and provided with an extension engaging the paracentrical groove, said bar being secured to the paddle by means of braces or arms, said wheel provided on" its outer periphery with teeth adapted to engage a sprocket-chairi whereby the position of the groove may be changed to simultaneously change the operation of the paddles, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUOIUS Q. C. MAGEE.

Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, GEO. B. PARKER. 

